Ys X: Nordics

About

In "Ys X: Nordics," players join Adol Christin on a new action-packed RPG adventure, available on Steam. This early bird purchase includes exclusive bonus items, and the digital deluxe edition offers a variety of additional DLC content, such as costumes, attachments, and ship customizations. The game boasts a compelling story, thrilling combat, and richly detailed Nordic-inspired environments.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
Co-Op Team up with friends to complete levels or missions together
Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 950 reviews

story222 positive mentions

grinding36 negative mentions

The combat system is fast, smooth, and fun, with a new duo mechanic that allows for exciting team-based attacks.
The story is engaging, with well-developed characters, particularly the dynamic between Adol and Karja.
The game features beautiful graphics and an excellent PC port, running smoothly with customizable settings.

The ship mechanics are slow and tedious at the beginning, making exploration feel cumbersome.
The pacing can be off, especially in the early chapters, with too much dialogue and cutscenes that can interrupt gameplay.
Some players may find the combat too easy, especially with the new guard and revive mechanics that reduce the challenge.

story
630 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
60%
5%
The story of "Ys X: Nordics" has received mixed reviews, with many praising the character-driven narrative centered around Adol and Karja, which offers engaging interactions and emotional depth. However, some critics found the pacing uneven and the plot predictable, with certain elements feeling clichéd or underdeveloped. Overall, while the story may not reach the heights of previous entries like "Ys VIII," it still provides a solid and enjoyable experience for fans of the series.
- “Really enjoyed going through Adol and Karja's interactions and growth throughout the story, and combining that story with the gameplay made it hard for me to put this one down.”
- “The story is gripping with a lot of heart in it.”
- “The story hooks you right in and does not let up.”
- “Just feels meh, all of it once you realize how dull and repetitive the combat and story is.”
- “Wish the story had a bit better writing; most events feel shoehorned and make no sense really from the 'big bads'.”
- “The main story writing is very clumsy for having so much dialogue in it.”
gameplay
474 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
65%
3%
The gameplay in "Ys X: Nordics" introduces a new duo mechanic featuring only two playable characters, Adol and Karja, which some players find refreshing while others miss the variety of previous party systems. The combat mechanics, including a parry-focused system and naval battles, have received mixed reviews; while some appreciate the new features, others criticize the repetitiveness and ease of combat. Overall, the game maintains the fast-paced action RPG feel typical of the series, but opinions vary on its execution and depth compared to earlier titles.
- “Really enjoyed going through Adol and Karja's interactions and growth throughout the story, and combining that story with the gameplay made it hard for me to put this one down.”
- “The latest title in the Ys series actually certainly delivers more of the fun gameplay that you've come to expect from the series.”
- “The gameplay is pretty fun although the new combat system still could use some tweaking for Ys 11.”
- “The new boat mechanic was cool at first but became tedious towards the end because of how repetitive it was.”
- “That said, the thing that bothered me the most is that the gameplay and scenarios are a bit too repetitive.”
- “In the end, the newer mechanics didn't get much of a focus, resulting in half-baked game mechanics like the naval warfare gameplay.”
music
236 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
45%
3%
The music in "Ys X: Nordics" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its quality and signature style typical of Falcom games, while others express disappointment compared to previous titles in the series. Some tracks are highlighted as exceptional, but there are concerns about the overall soundtrack being less memorable and featuring a significant amount of outsourced music that doesn't meet the franchise's high standards. Despite these criticisms, the soundtrack is still considered enjoyable and complements the game's engaging combat and story.
- “The music is absolutely phenomenal, staying true to the series' signature style while offering new, memorable tracks that perfectly complement the adventure.”
- “With a brilliant soundtrack!”
- “The amazing music, the outstanding combat that always felt way ahead of anything on the market, the satisfying exploration, the characters that are well done and are all likeable to me (karja is fantastic), the story I can't say too much about yet but these games have never let me down in terms of plot.”
- “The soundtrack was the only thing that left much to be desired.”
- “The music in the series is definitely getting worse and will continue to get worse if F Corp keeps outsourcing to cheap musicians.”
- “There are some great tracks here and there, but half the soundtrack is taken up by mediocre music that gets really grating after a while of listening to it in-game.”
graphics
162 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
64%
6%
The graphics in this game have seen some improvements with a new engine, offering better character models and full-motion cutscenes, but they still fall short of AAA standards, leading to mixed reviews. While some players appreciate the art style and smooth performance, others find the visuals dated and lacking in detail compared to modern titles. Overall, the graphics are considered a weak point in the game, yet many players feel that the engaging story and gameplay compensate for this shortcoming.
- “The action combat was amazing, songs were almost perfect and graphics were spectacular.”
- “While graphically, it's nowhere near the 'used up the GDP of a small nation' level of budget one would expect from say, Final Fantasy 16, a combination of solid models and a cohesive, good art style mean more or less every important character - and monsters - look good.”
- “Ys is a very special franchise to me, I haven't played any of the games fully, but I always like the Falcom charm... and this game unlike the others I played (8-9) is on a brand new engine with a big graphical upgrade... and it's awesome.”
- “The graphics are appalling.”
- “My biggest gripe is with characters' 3D models; they look very bland when compared to their 2D artwork versions.”
- “Compared to other sixty dollar games... the graphics are terrible.”
grinding
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
20%
78%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience. While some enjoy the RPG elements and feel that grinding isn't necessary if they engage with side quests, many others criticize the repetitive nature of naval combat and farming, especially in the late game, leading to a sense of tedium. Upgrading ships can alleviate some of the grind, but the initial stages and certain mechanics are often described as tedious and one-note.
- “As I did basically everything, I always had the materials for upgrades and whatnot, no farming needed!”
- “The new boat mechanic was cool at first but became tedious towards the end because of how repetitive it was.”
- “Farming and combat gets repetitive towards the end game.”
- “It gets significantly better in the mid to end game when your ship is actually upgraded but most things to do with ship combat are just tedious.”
optimization
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
39%
8%
The game's optimization has received widespread praise, with many reviewers highlighting Durante's exceptional work in ensuring smooth performance across various platforms, including the Steam Deck. Players report stable frame rates, even on lower-end hardware, and appreciate the extensive configuration options available. Overall, the optimization is considered elite, making it a standout aspect of the game.
- “The programmers who ported this to PC have put a lot into optimization, and for such a niche series, it’s appreciated.”
- “Durante did an absolutely fantastic job with optimization as well as making sure FPS did not accelerate the game in unintended ways like previous ports had issues with.”
- “This game's optimization is elite.”
- “The series is infamously low budget and they seemingly did not make drastic changes between the Switch version and others, meaning it's capped by the Nintendo potato's performance.”
- “Visually and performance-wise, there isn't really a lot to report here.”
- “Been playing this on my Steam Deck and it's very optimized at 60 fps, though there are some fog and water scenery that makes it drop a few frames.”
character development
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
55%
15%
Character development in the game is highlighted by the significant growth of the protagonist, Karja, who evolves from a stereotypical character into a more complex figure. While the story features depth and engaging voice acting, some character arcs feel underdeveloped or resolve too quickly, leaving potential conflicts unexplored. Overall, while the character designs are considered serviceable, the narrative's focus on character development is appreciated, despite some criticisms regarding pacing and execution.
- “Karja undergoes some remarkable character development from bland, stereotypical 'me sea raider!'”
- “But don’t get me wrong, there’s so much voice acting, story depth, and character development; you eventually get over it.”
- “Because of that, she had good character development and a well-written story.”
- “There were some interesting potential with certain character conflicts, but they don't really go anywhere, or in the best case, resolve way too quickly like certain big character developments that happen later in the main story.”
- “Speaking of characters, I think most of the character designs in this game were pretty bland compared to the last two Ys games and the recent Trails games.”
- “Not to say the game has any bad character designs necessarily, they're just serviceable at best.”
emotional
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "Ys X: Nordics" is highlighted by its strong character development and impactful dialogue, which evoke genuine feelings from players. While some find the story predictable and weaker at the beginning, it ultimately delivers a rewarding emotional experience with heartwarming themes of family and well-executed plot twists. Although it may not reach the emotional heights of previous entries like "Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana," it remains a compelling and engaging RPG for both newcomers and veterans.
- “The story is quite predictable, but it's done well enough and elicits an emotional reaction as they do a really good job in making you like each and every single character.”
- “Excellent action, deep emotional stories, amazing characters, and of course, addicting fast-paced gameplay.”
- “However, the emotional pay-off for completing the story is fantastic for fans of the genre (and of anime).”
stability
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while many users report that it runs well on various platforms, including the Steam Deck and PC, there are notable issues such as prolonged loading times during area transitions and occasional freezes when accessing the in-game menu. These glitches detract from the experience and are a source of frustration for players, highlighting the need for timely fixes.
- “The PC version runs great - even through Proton (which is how I'm playing it, in Debian).”
- “Looks phenomenal and runs great on Steam Deck OLED too.”
- “Other than that, the game runs great if you set up your GPU correctly.”
- “Sometimes the game will endlessly load when it transitions to a new area (i.e. I fast traveled and it took so long to load that I seriously fell asleep during the game loading and woke up 2 hours later to it still loading). Additionally, pausing or going to the in-game menu can cause the game to freeze, which is frustrating when you need to access those menus to save.”
- “My only problem is that there are a few glitches that I hope get fixed ASAP.”
- “Sometimes the game will endlessly load when it transitions to a new area (i.e. I fast traveled and it took so long to load that I seriously fell asleep during the game loading and woke up 2 hours later to it still loading). Additionally, pausing or going to the in-game menu can cause the game to freeze, which is frustrating when you need to access those menus to save.”
humor
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of lighthearted jokes and serious moments, effectively enhancing the overall experience without detracting from the narrative. Players have noted moments of genuine laughter, particularly with memorable lines like "walhalla," contributing to the game's fun and engaging atmosphere. Overall, the humor complements the fast-paced gameplay, making it enjoyable and accessible.
- “From its easy-to-pick-up and exciting action gameplay to its sometimes awkward and humorous dialogue, it's just simply fun to play.”
- “The Ys series is great at mixing funny, lighthearted jokes with serious moments without hurting either part.”
- “I burst out laughing at 'Walhalla' when it was first said out loud.”
replayability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
33%
33%
The game's replayability is somewhat limited due to the small number of playable characters, with only Adol and Karja available, which has left players wishing for more character options and costumes. While the story and character cast are praised, the lack of variety may hinder the desire to replay the game extensively.
- “More playable characters would be cool and surely more costumes to choose from.”
- “After playing Ys VIII, I really wanted to try this game out. While it is not as good as the masterpiece that is Lacrimosa of Dana, it's still a very good story with a good cast of characters. The particularity of this game is that only two of them are playable: Adol, obviously, and the pirate princess, Karja.”
- “Replay value.”
- “After playing Ys VIII, I really wanted to try this game out (I've had issues making my Ys IX literally unplayable with no fixes available to my knowledge). While it is not as good as the masterpiece that is Lacrimosa of Dana, it's still a very good story with a good cast of characters. However, the particularity of this game is that only two of them are playable: Adol, obviously, and the pirate princess, Karja.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The atmosphere of the game is praised for its return to the beloved elements found in Ys VIII, particularly in storytelling and overall ambiance, which resonates well with long-time fans.
- “At the same time, after IX's different vibe, it returns to what many fans enjoyed about Ys VIII in several aspects, mainly when it comes to storytelling and atmosphere.”